SIR Chris Hoy’s uncle has died after a short battle with brain cancer.

Tributes were yesterday paid to Derek Hoy, 58, who was a well known folk musician and “inspirational” fiddle player.

Derek was also a great fan of his six-time Olympic gold medallist nephew.

He died, surrounded by his wife Christine and daughters Jenny and Sarah, at his home in Portobello, Edinburgh, at 2am on Saturday.

One of his daughters posted on Derek’s Twitter account, saying: “I’m sorry to tell you Derek passed away this weekend from a brain tumour. He was surrounded by people who loved him and we’ll miss his mischievous genius.”

Derek, a long-time member of folk bands Jock Tamson’s Bairns and Bella McNab’s Dance Band, was diagnosed with the illness in August.

Fellow musicians described Derek as “a true gentleman”, and “an accomplished musician and braw fiddler whose playing was magical”.

Rod Paterson, of Jock Tamson’s Bairns, said: “To his close friends, he was known as Happy.

“It fitted because he was never anything other than just that, happy.”